If you do NOT see the Table of Contents frame to the left of this page, then
Click here to open 'USArmyGermany' frameset

793rd Military Police Battalion
VII Corps
Looking for more information from military/civilian personnel assigned to or associated with the U.S. Army in Germany from 1945 to 1989. If you have any stories or thoughts on the subject, please email me (webmaster).

Battalion History (1945 - 1988)

HHD

Co "A" / 615th MP Co

Co "B"

Co "C" / 630th MP Co


 
Battalion History
1945 - 1988
(Source: History of the 793rd Military Police Battalion. 793rd MP Bn Welcome Pamphlet, November 1988)
793rd Military Police Bn DUI

The 793d Military Police Battalion was activated at Camp Maxey, Texas on 26 December 1942, and has been on continuous active duty since that day.

In February 1944, the Battalion departed the United States for a period of retraining in Scotland and was then transferred to France in August 1944. From August through December 1944, the Battalion performed traffic security duty on the Red Ball Highway.

 
From December 1944 to June 1945, the Battalion was charged with the protection of the Port of Antwerp, Belgium. It was during that period that the Battalion was awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation and was cited in the Order of the Belgian Army.

In June 1945, the Battalion moved to France to prepare for deployment to the South Pacific, but the end of the war resulted in its being assigned port security in Marseille.

PHOTO: A motor patrol from B Company makes its appearance in a German town in 1946 to enforce discipline, law and order. The old ETO patch, then used by the Military Posts, and the "I" (Roman numeral) on the jeep bumper identifies the 793rd as belonging to the 1st Military District.
In January 1946, the Battalion entered Germany for duty with the Third United States Area at Bad Toelz until April 1946, when it moved to the Nuernberg-Fuerth area. Attached to the 26th Infantry Regiment, First Infantry Division, the Battalion was assigned security duties at the Nuernberg War Crime Trials.

In February 1947, the 793d Military Police Battalion moved to the William O. Darby Kaserne, its present location. They again moved to Monteith Barracks, then to Pinder Barracks. Finally in September 1948, they returned to William O. Darby Kaserne, where the Headquarters Detachment, 793d Military Police Battalion and the 615th Military Police Company are presently located.
 
 
In 1953, the 793d Military Police Battalion began to spread out and cover a vast area of Bavaria. The MP Station was moved from the Palace of Justice to William O. Darby Kaserne on 24 June 1953.

In 1968, the 793d Military Police Battalion and the Feldjaeger Battalion 760 were designated as "Sister Units" which created a closer working relationship. In April 1971, LTC Parks, Battalion Commander, accepted the 1970 Project Partnership Award for the 793d Military Police Battalion at special ceremonies in Koblenz.

During the months of September-October 1972, MPs as a deterent force, were placed on additional security for the Olympic Games in Munich and possible terrorist attacks from Middle East countries.

PHOTO: Another view of the motor patrol as it passes through a German town in 1946.
On 21 October 1977, the three line lettered Companies A, B and C, were deactivated in Germany. With the deactivation of the old lettered companies, the HHD, 793rd MP BN was headquartered in Bamberg with new numbered Companies.

The 595th Military Police Company was activated and assigned to HHD, 793rd MP BN and located in Fuerth, Illesheim and Crailsheim.

The 615th Military Police Company was activated and assigned to HHD, 793rd MP BN replacing Company A, 793rd MP BN which was inactivated. The 615th MP Co was co-located with the 595th MP Co in Fuerth, Illesheim and Crailsheim.

The 630th Military Police Company was activated and assigned to the HHD, 793rd MP BN replacing Company C, 793rd MP BN which was located in Bamberg, Erlangen and Ansbach.

The 981st Military Police Company was activated and assigned to the HHD, 793rd MP BN and located in Kitzingen, Schweinfurt and Bad Kissingen.

In September 1979, the 793d Military Police Battalion was awarded the Department of the Army Community Award for excellence in support of tile Community Relations Program. It was in recognition of the unit's assistance to the residents of Katzwang, Germany during the flood disaster on 26 March 1979.

On 16 November 1980, the three line companies were reorganized. This reorganization increased the combat power of the Battalion. Most significant was the authorization of one M60 machine gun and one M203 per vehicle.

The 793d Military Police Battalion continues to participate in an active partnership program. The participation in training, athletic and social activities has developed a close personal and professional relationship between the 793d Military Police Battalion and the German Feldjaeger Battalion 760. The partnership program is culminated annually, with a march, composed of team members from both Battalions, from Fuerth to Munich.

The 218th Military Police Company, 385th MP Company was reassigned in 1982 from HHD, 385th MP BN to HHD, 793rd MP BN and remained headquartered with 2 Platoon in Augsburg and 1 Platoon headquartered in Munich, with detachments in Garmisch, Berchtesgaden, and Bad Tolz. (In June 1974 a detachment of 4 MPs was located at the American Hotel in Chiemsee.)

The Battalion currently has five line companies spread throughout Bavaria:
218th MP Co Augsburg, Munich, Bad Toelz, Berchtesgaden and Garmisch
595th MP Co Fuerth, Illesheim and Crailsheim
615th MP Co co-located with the 595th MP Co in Fuerth, Illesheim and Crailsheim
630th MP Co Bamberg, Erlangen and Ansbach
  981st MP Co Kitzingen, Schweinfurt, and Bad Kissingen
 
.
In a later realignment, 615th MP Company was headquartered in Grafenwoehr with detachments in Hohenfels and Vilseck.

If you have more information on the history or organization of the 793rd MP Bn, please contact me.

(For unit history information of the 793rd Military Police Battalion and its subordinate units after the Fall of the Wall in 1989 please see websites listed below in the Realted Links section.)
1946
(Source: Eulas Hamilton via his son, Mike Hamilton)

793rd MP Bn
Nürnberg, 1946-48
Photos were provided by Mike Hamilton, whose father, Eulas Hamilton, served with the 793rd from 1946-48.
 

1. MP escort squad (131 KB)
2. US Senator gets MP excort for tour of Nurnberg (111 KB)

3. Gen Omar Bradley arrives at Nurnberg airport for a visit (41 KB)
4. "A" Co mess hall (53 KB)

5. "A" Co motor pool (83 KB)
6. Street scene outside of barracks (131 KB)

7. Entrance to "A" Co motor pool (91 KB)
8. Eulas Hamilton with friends (98 KB)

9. Armory room (66 KB)
10. Briefing before patrol (55 KB)

11. Short arms inspection (59 KB)
12. Short arms inspection (67 KB)

13. Unidentified LT (71 KB)
14. CPT Scioli (86 KB)

15. CPT Klekas (84 KB)
16. Officers in front of "B" Co (116 KB)

17. In front of the MP Station (52 KB)
18. MP Station (101 KB)

19. Traffic Information desk (65 KB)

21. Hamilton and Stewart, 1946 (40 KB)
22. Unidentified MP, 1947 (65 KB)

23. Hamilton and Stewart, 1948 (93 KB)

24. Palace of Justice during the Trials (155 KB)

25. Stand by duty (90 KB)

26. Vehicle stopped (73 KB)
27. MP guard at Palace of Justice (95 KB)

28. Checking a soldier's papers (68 KB)
29. Raising or lowerin the flag at the Palace of Justice (119 KB)

30. Storck Club (100 KB)
31. Jeep patrol (84 KB)

32. Hamilton and German policeman (65 KB)
33. Autobahn patrol (55 KB)


34. SGT Neal, motorcycle patrolman (87 KB)



35. NMP Precision Drill team (83 KB)
36. 53rd Constab Sq (99 KB)
37. 53rd Constab Sq (54 KB)
38. "A" Co in parade (110 KB)

39. MG headquarters (147 KB)
40. Military barracks (108 KB)

41. Parade in downtown Nurnberg (136 KB)
42. Precision Drill team (89 KB)

43. Post stockade (76 KB)
      
 
Headquarters & Headquarters Detachment, 793rd MP Bn
 
 
 
 
 
Company "A," 793rd MP Bn / later 615th MP Company
(Source: Email from Mike Hamilton)

Eulas Hamilton, A Co, 793rd MP Bn


Lt Col Forrest Roust
  
My Father was in Nurnberg, Germany from 1946-48. He was in "A" Company, 793rd Military Police Battalion from August 1946 till January 1949.

The 793rd Military Police was the only police unit in Nurnberg at that time. The Nurnberg Military Government didn’t organize the German Police until 1947. Nurnberg was a city about 7 square miles. "A" Company had ½ of the city and "B" Company had the other half of the city.

"A" Company had 4 zones to patrol. Each zone had one M.P. on patrol and worked 6 hour shifts. Headquarters were in charge of the Police station. We were also in charge of patrol around the outside of the Palace where the trials were being held.

"K" Company of the 26th Inf., 1st Div. was on Court room duty. "K" Company was the most decorated company in Nurnberg.

After the German Police were organized we were required to have a German Policeman in our Jeeps on duty at all times.

For many more great photos out of Eulas' collection, see Page 11, Photo Gallery
 
(Source: Email from Gene Thomas, Company "A", 793rd MP Bn)
I was assigned to Co A, 536th MP Co, and 595th MP Co under the 793d MP Bn in 1970 to 1975 in Fuerth-Nurnberg, Germany. They were part of the 15th MP Bde.

I really didn't get tight with anyone in particular. We patrolled in Class A uniform in jeeps, sedans, vans, whatever they threw at us. I can remember faces but no names. I arrived at the Bn in 1970 and pretty much stayed in that general area (Fuerth, Erlangen, Bamberg) for some time.

I started in Augsburg with the 536th MP Co and got some of the best patrol time there. I was happy with my job. You'll have to excuse me, I'm not very prolific at writing. I do remember having a lot of friends in the MP Corps. They were the best at what they did and it rubbed off on me and made me one of the best as well.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
In 1971, I was chosen to be a member of a pistol team representing the 793d MP Battalion; there were 5 of us. I do not remember the names of the other members of the team. We were placed on special duty. We were trained on marksmanship and practiced shooting known distance with the .45 M1911A1.

The match was set in Kaiserslautern. Every unit in the 15th MP Brigade was there. It was great. At the end of it, I placed third on my team and my team placed third in the match. I still have vivid memories of it. I'm not sure if any paperwork was generated on it, like certificates of participation; I didn't get one if there was.

To the best of my knowledge this pistol match continued for some time after I got reassigned to th 62d MP Detachment in Erlangen as a Desk Sergeant in 1972.
 
Company "B," 793rd MP Bn
 
 
 
Company "C," 793rd MP Bn / later 630th MP Copany
 
(Source: Email from Kenneth Monds, 536th MP Company, 793rd MP Bn, 1966-1968)
The 508th Military Police Battalion consisting of Companies "A" & "B" were relocated from McGraw Kaserne to Von Steuben Hall, which was outside the front gate of McGraw Kaserne, in August 1963.  The 508th Military Police Battalion was deactivated in July 1964 and Company C, 793rd Military Police Battalion, was assigned to Von Steuben Hall. 
 
I arrived in Munich in September 1966 and was assigned to the 536th Military Police Company, 793rd Military Police Battalion  which was located in Von Steuben Hall.  I do not have a date when Company C was replaced by the 536th Military Police Company. 
Munich MP Station, 1967

 
Detachments from the 536th Military Police Company were located in Bad Tölz, Garmisch, Landshut, and Berchtesgaden.  Also housed in Von Steuben Hall during this timeframe were the 13th Criminal Investigation Detachment, the South Bavaria District PMO and a detachment of the 42nd Military Police Group. In 1968 headquarters was moved to Augsburg and a detachment remained in Munich.
 
I have been able to locate 80 former members of the 536th Military Police Company, 21st Military Police Detachment and the 42nd Military Police Group.  In 2006 we had our first two reunions.  One in July in Pigeon Forge, TN and the second in September in Las Vegas, NV.  A total of 27 attended. We have a webpage and the following is a link to our site:  http://groups.msn.com/536thMilitaryPoliceCompany 
 
(Source: Email from Kirk Mints, 793rd MP Bn, 1970-73)
 
I was stationed at Ferris Barracks and then Fuerth as a Garrison MP from 1970-73. Boy, have things changed since the "Cold War".

I remember a brewery right across the Strasse from the main gate of William O Darby in Fuerth called "Hals" beer that was the most bitter stuff I ever drank but I got used to it. LOL ... I wonder if that brewery is still there?

At the time all the troops in Nam were slowly being deployed to Germany and when I arived at Ferris Barrack we only had 10 MP's for something like 10,000 troops. We were very busy pulling double shifts, 13 days on with a day and a half off and very little sleep from the many fights & riots & traffic accidents.

The drugs, drinking & crime were out of control, and we also had to cover 40 miles of autobahn with accidents all the time involving Americans or their families which made for very long nights and then back to the station to do paperwork with the German Police. I missed many a meal at the Mess Hall and had to eat a quick sandwich from the PX on the run, drinking 20 cups a coffee per day.

I spent two weeks in Munich during the Olympics in 1972, driving up & down the autobahn and checking ID's.

Once, we were chasing a suspect as we buried the needle and our engine blew on our 65 Chevy sending the hood, oil & engine parts into the windshield where we lost control and flipped the car over a guard rail. My partner suffered head injuries & a broken arm. We were lucky we weren't killed. I was so tired one night I fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into a building..

I know the Germans were not to happy about all the troops and had riots & protested ... They were always yelling at us to "GO HOME! "... Most people were upset but they knew, with the Cold War, they had no choice. 

It was hard to relax but it was still a beautiful country ... like stepping back in time.

Downtown Erlangen, 1971

WOD Mess Hall, 1971
  
(Source: Email from Richard E. Bartlett)
I served with the:
Co C. 793rd MP BN  (3rd Plt in Ansbach, Apr 74 - Dec 75) (Station call sign "Conquest Apple")
Co A. 793rd MP BN  (2nd Plt in Crailsheim Jan 76 - June 76)  (Station call sign "Crane Bullet")

Those where the days
 
(Source: Email from Kimberly P. Hagen)
A little to add to your history...

In the 1976-1979 time frame, I was assigned to the 793rd MP Battalion, and initially stationed at Ansbach. During that period, the manning of both MP units was short and we were augmented by MPs from the 202nd ASA.

Because they were 95B (Military Police Specialists), their officers thought it would help promotions to do the more traditional garrison police duties with us, PLUS we really needed their help as we were below even critical manning.

The MPs from the 202nd were invaluable to the area's mission. They worked alongside of the rest of us, on regular patrol duties, at the Hindenburg Kaserne gate duty, and so on. They tended to be a bit senior in rank and age to the rest of us who were coming into the Army straight out of High School.

I remember that the mission at Katterbach did include a helicopter detachment and that there was Warrant Officer Housing co-located, which was part of our patrol area. Further, there was a 'Bierfest' actually held on the post, complete with carnival rides, beer tents, food, games and so on. The 202nd MPs also augmented our Bierfest patrols downtown, which tended to be a very rowdy period. The larger Bierfest was in the Fall.

They were integrated into our schedule and great to work with. I remember at times they would be off the schedule, and it had to do with their work at the 202nd building on Katterbach. The rest of us weren't cleared for their level of security. I do remember seeing the secure area they guarded, but obviously never had access.

The only two names I can remember (it's been about 30 years now!) are Sp4/Sgt Chris "Pete" Petersen and SP4 Tom Coe. ( I believe "Pete" Peterson had a given first name of Walter. He went by Chris or Pete, but he was technically a Walter.)  They were assigned there between 1975-1977 or 78, and had come in from Augsburg. I am not sure if they were merely assigned FROM Augsburg or if they moved earlier with the unit during the activity described elsewhere.

As it turned out, I ETS'd in 1979, but re-enlisted as an officer in 1984 in one of the US Air Force's Intelligence Branches, The Electronic Security Command. Most of my assignments were around southern Italy and the Middle East, but I did get the chance to return to Bavaria and see the old areas surrounding Ansbach. It is amazing how much has been signed back over to Germany.

Thanks much, hope the further information is of some use to your history. I do have some photos of the unit, people, and their building, and if I can find them, I will send them on if you want them.
Related Links:
793rd Military police Battalion - web page on Military.com
793rd Military Police Website - official web page of the Battalion in Germany